N61520

On March 5, 2000, at 1444 eastern standard time, an Aero Comp Incorporated Comp-Air-6, N61520, collided with a tree during an attempted forced landing near Indiantown, Florida. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Homestead, Florida, at 1300.

During a telephone conversation with the pilot, he stated that, on March 4, 2000, he had topped-off the fuel tanks with aviation fuel and he had flown the airplane about 25 minutes after the refueling. After the 25-minute flight, the pilot parked the airplane, and it was not flown again until March 5, 2000. On March 5, 2000, the pilot received a weather briefing and filed a flight plan for the intended flight. The pilot completed a preflight inspection of the airplane that included sampling the fuel supply through the fuel filter. According to the pilot, the fuel sample was free of visible contaminates.

At approximately 1300, the pilot departed Homestead, Florida, enroute to Merritt Island, Florida. About one hour and 44 minutes into the flight, and flying a 4500 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that a distress radio call was made and he searched for an area for a forced landing. The pilot selected a nearby orange grove and established an approach to a road in the orange grove. As he maneuvered the airplane for the touchdown, the tail section of the airplane collided with a tree, the airplane turned around several degrees, collided with the ground, and slid into an embankment.

During the post accident examination of the airplane, rust and other debris were recovered from the fuel system filter assembly. The composition of the debris was not determined, however the debris reduced the normal flow of fuel through the fuel system. There were several gallons of fuel onboard the airplane after the accident. A review of the airplane maintenance log books showed that the airplane had undergone routine maintenance and preflight inspections.